There is Hope After All

It is with great sorrow when I say that I don't trust people, and with even greater sorrow when I say that I know I'm not alone. We've seen it all. The lying between friends, stealing between neighbors, trafficking of our children, and killing of our brothers. All these are enough reasons to be lackadaisical when it comes to the human race. However, something happened today that made me question my cynic ideation.

Like any normal day, I took the first step to reaching my favorite destination (home!) by riding a jeepney along the road of Gen. Maxilom Ave. With only a one-hundred-peso bill and four one-peso coins in my wallet, it never crossed my mind that I might have any trouble in paying the ride's fare. But when I handed over my one hundred peso bill (since, of course, four pesos isn't enough to pay for the ride), the jeepney driver told me he had no change. I didn't know what to do then but to take out all my coins and show it to the driver, clueless as to what would be the best thing to do at the situation. The driver barely even noticed that he was giving me the hard time making it my responsibility to look for loose change just so that he could get paid. I mean c'mon, it's not my fault he has no change! Bugger.

Anyway, as I was showing the driver my four coins with (tired) puppy-eyes, I didn't realize that I had caught the attention of the lady sitting right across me. I was about to tell the driver about having only four pesos when she stepped in and offered to help. She wanted to help both me and the driver, so she told me not to worry and handed me a five peso coin. I was shocked, needless to say. Why would a stranger want to help me and the driver out? It wasn't even any of her business. So imagine how dumbfounded I was as I cracked a meek smile and said "thank you".

In the crazy world that we're in, it's so rare to find a genuinely kind heart. Much less when you're caught in a sticky situation. So whenever you meet one, never fail to express appreciation and thank the heavens for letting you encounter such an angel. It doesn't matter how small or how big that person has helped, as long as you felt that it was done out of goodwill. And after experiencing the privilege of meeting such a person, don't forget to pay the kindness forward. Because such an act isn't supposed to stop with you. It's meant to be shared. Be an angel yourself. Be a blessing to others.

After today, I can't really say that the human race has regained my trust. I still doubt other people's sincerity, and I still stand by my cynic ideation. But something has changed though. Something has made me feel a little better about people. And that something has made me believe that there may be hope left for humanity after all.

Christmas Party - Burkes-Style

Stupid things don't feel so stupid when you're doing it with good friends.

Last night, my friends and I came together for a little tradition - our annual Christmas Party. We had food, games, and tons of fun. Although it may sound very cliche to say that it was a party like no other, it's actually true. It was a party like no other. Because being the eccentric group of friends that we are, we didn't do a traditional Christmas Party where everyone just comes in and bring gifts and chat around the Christmas table. No. We're far too creative and far too child-like to do just that. We did something out of the ordinary. A little immature, yes, but way more fun than doing it the old way. We did away with tradition and had a themed-costume party.

Costume parties are usually associated with Halloween, yes, but the gang and I thought that it would be fun to do things differently this year. With all the changes that had transpired throughout the year, we felt it was quite appropriate to blow the winds of change to our party's direction as well. And since most of us are frustrated travelers who can't afford plane tickets to our dream destinations, we decided to bring the world to us. We decided to party as representatives of varying nations. And I would be representing Greece.

But wearing costumes for a Christmas party is just the tip of the iceberg. We did another thing that we could only dare to do in front of each other. Something that we only did out of respect for our friend who cooked up the idea. The highlight, if I may say so, of the year's most awaited event. We did a Christmas Talent show. My God, the thought alone makes me laugh my ass off. It was something so embarrassing, yet highly entertaining at the same time. It was an I-hope-no-one-sees-this kind of thing, but you just can't help but laugh at the thought of seemingly mature people doing something so immature. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to say, but I'm sort of glad in a but-it-still would-have-been-fine-without-it kind of way that Jdin thought of something as stupid as that. It sort of made my year. Ha!

So yeah, I had a great time last night. Inspite of all the day's challenges like stitching up a greek costume, being sick and sleepy, Abi's headache, Marah's pancit, Nicole's wallet, Margy's absence. Somehow, the company of the best friends anyone could ever have made up for all of it.

Parkmall. I Love You Goodbye. Sylvanas. Sean's Ice Cream. The Jingle Sluts. Bottom 3 Costumes (Sean, Marah, Karen). Manito-Manita. Personal Item Raffle. I can only sum it up in three words: I love it.

Καλά Χριστούγεννα!

That's Greek for Merry Christmas.

That's Why

Get Up and Go

From the moment God granted man the gift of rationality, the Homo sapiens have come to develop a curious knack for waiting for the right timing of things. Primarily because it has been proven that waiting for the right time brings about the sweetest fruit. So we reason, we calculate, we infer, and we no longer rely on basic instinct to just go ahead and do what we please. We delay doing things, believing that timing is everything. But the thing is we can’t always tell when the right time is. Not everything can be calculated or timed. Sometimes it’s all up to us.

Waiting can be rewarding, it’s true. But sometimes we keep on waiting for the right time to come, not knowing that we have the power to make any time the right one. So we end up waiting for something that may never come. Then time steps in to ebb our interest, wither our hope, and make us forget. And that’s when we realize that the right time might have just passed us by. Leaving us bitter with regret because we know there’s nothing we can do about it.

I have recently come upon things that helped me comprehend the importance of getting up and just doing things. You see, I’m the kind of person who would like to think of myself as an artist. But what is an artist if not someone who creates beautiful art? I have spent the past year setting aside my leisure pursuit for drawing and stuff, so I thought that maybe I was starting to lose the right of calling myself as one. I have been so busy and decided to let my art wait. Thinking that there would be a right time to get back to it. But after a year of art hiatus, I have realized that maybe there wasn’t any other time to do it but now. That I just had to take a leap of faith and trust that everything would turn out okay. And so I did. I’m glad I did.

As of the moment, I’m still struggling a little to regain my flair, but so far things are looking good. I’m so glad I did what I did, and oh boy, was it about time I did! I’ve been so close to forgetting how much I love drawing! Good call, huh? I could have let a part of me die without me knowing. Anyway, I am quite certain that this is just the first of many to come. There’s still a lot of things that I know couldn’t wait to happen. And I’m sure as hell going to do my best to make sure that they do.

So before you decide to wait for the right time, ask yourself: Can NOW be the right time for this? Don’t hurry. Take your time and think hard. Because if the answer is yes, then you are going to have to just do it. You give it your all and you don’t back down. Because there’s no day like today and this just might be the only time to do it.


Is it the right time for me to try something new? Is it the right time to speak up? Is it the right time to give back? Hmm. I think it is.

My Mom - The Perseverant Woman

One of my mom's best and worst qualities is that she never gives up - something you'd expect from any mother so as to keep her family afloat. And although it can get annoying in some situations (like in an argument), it's actually one of the qualities that endear her more to me.

Anyway, before this turns into a sappy declaration of love for my mother (which, for me, is the best mom by the way), let me share an incident that amuses me everytime its pops to my head. Something that happened yesterday on our way to church. A perfect example of my mom's persevering character.



On our way to church, my mom asks me about my brother.

Mama: Unsa na orasa nilakaw imong manghod?

Me: Ambot. Hapon na.

Mama: Mga unsa orasa sa hapon?

Me: Ambot. Natug man ko. Basta hapon.

Mama: Mga unsa orasa?

Me: Wa lagi ko kahibaw kay natug ko.

Mama: Aww.. Mga unsa man ka orasa natug?



That's it. Okay, so it's not as funny as it was when it happened. But it really was at that time. I mean I was not in the best mood at that time, but it really gave me a lift.

Anyway, what really amused me was how she tried to twist up her question at the end of the conversation just to get her answer. And somehow it didn't only make me laugh, but it also made me happy. Because that little encounter reminded me what my mom was really made of. How determined she really is. It made me think over the other times she didn't give up. The other times she "twisted" her way just to make things right for me and my family. And it just made me love her even more.

Cheers to the woman who never gives up! Cheers to my mom!

Yearning

The chilly breeze hits my skin,
Cooling every fraction of my being.
I can’t help but wonder,
Are you out there searching?

How I wish that you were near
To share with me your warmth
As our hands intertwine and hearts interlock
Staring at the fire and sitting by the hearth.

How I wish to feel your warm breath
As you whisper your avowal of affection
Allowing me to seek refuge in your arms
Not minding the world.

How I wish to feel your touch
As our lips meet in passionate bliss
Content in each other’s warmth
Even long after we break the kiss.

Oh, how I wish that you were here
Ending every wish and fulfilling every hope
Finding me patiently waiting
Waiting for you, my love, to come

The chilly breeze had long gone to waver.
But still I wonder.

Confessions of an Indie Blogger

I am but a small boy, struggling to find his place on earth. And in order to do that, I feel like I ought to be me. I ought to be the person who I was meant to be. But in this crazy world of expectations and responsibilities, being myself had to take a backseat.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I will not forget who I am as set out to do what I’m supposed to do. That is why I’ve been looking for a creative outlet – a hole for which my soul can peek through. So that I get a chance to express myself. Be me for a fraction of the time that I am not. Give myself a chance to get out and take a whiff of the cool outside world air. I am not looking for recognition. Well, at least I think I don’t. I just need the chance to be me without anybody judging.

About two years ago, I started out writing again. A hobby that had long went to hibernate ever since I learned of my incompetence in the said art. I started out with a stupid blog about hoping for someone to come along. It was pretty mediocre and short, but it told what I felt. People didn’t believe that I wrote it at first because they didn’t think that it was something that I could do. So once again, I gave it a rest. I thought that maybe writing just wasn’t for me.

But then sometime last year, after densely thinking that I might have a good story in mind, I started to write again. After all, I always dreamed of becoming a bestselling author. So I gave writing a story a try. Needless to say, it didn’t turn out well. At first I thought, maybe I just needed a better story to tell. But after three failed attempts, I knew it just wasn’t meant to be.

It wasn’t until June of this year when I decided to make a fool of myself, yet again, with writing. After I quit my first job, I didn’t feel so good. I felt ambivalent and I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it. So I decided to write to help me dissect and analyze why I felt what I felt. Then right after I finished what I wrote, and just before I could try to understand my emotions, the funny feeling of ambivalence was gone. Just like that. And that’s when I realized what writing does to me. It helps me liberate my soul.

And that’s why I write. I’m not very good at it, I know. But I write not for other people’s benefit, but mine. It gives me something to believe in and something to hold on to. I don’t write to be recognized by other people, but for me to recognize myself. So excuse me if my words are too simple or my writing too average. I’m not looking to win a Pulitzer; I’m just looking for me. I needed a creative outlet, and I think I found one in writing.

Aside from my art, this makes me whole. This makes me happy. It allows me to be me. So before you make fun of me or criticize me and my work, let me say this: Please, step aside and give me a chance to be happy.

The Things I Learned From Musicals

While going through some of my stuff, I found my big green notebook that was supposed to be my Journal. I filled it with dedications from my friends, a few sketches, a short story and some notes. Of course, it would've been nice if I'd continued using that notebook the way I intended to, but somehow I forgot about it. What with all the stuff that had went on this year, I was bound to neglect its very existence. Anyway, as I went through the pages of my pretty green notebook, I came across a list. A list that made me smile. A list of the things I learned from musicals.

It's a pretty stupid list, but I thought of sharing it anyway. Especially since the inspiration for this list was found somewhere in the crazy world of the world wide web as well. And, well, I've revised some of it from the one in my journal, but it's pretty much the same list. Here goes.

1. No one mourns the wicked.
2. Celebrated heads of states or great communicators didn't have brains or knowledge. They were popular.
3. A home is where the heart is meant to be.
   
4. The sun will come out tomorrow.
   
5. It's a hard-knock life.
6. Without me, the world will go on turning.
   
7. In the darkness the trees are full of starlight.
8. Happiness is anything and anyone that's loved by you.
   
9. Some philosophies take a lifetime, others take a minute.
10. Careful the things you say. Children will listen.
    
11. Even flowers have their dangers.
12. There's a fine line between love and a waste of time.
13. Everyone's a little bit racist.
14. On the other side of the earth, there's a place where life still has worth.
    
15. Sir Lancelot is gay.
    
16. Always look on the bright side of life.
17. Somewhere, there's a place for us.
    
18. The world is full of light, with suns and moons all over the place.
19. Without love, life is rock and roll without a drummer.
    
20. You can't stop the beat.
21. Dreams really do come true, you never have to compromise.
    
22. With every ending comes a new beginning.
    
23. You can fake your way to the top.
24. If we wanna see that morning of a brighter day, the only way is to walk in peace.
25. 525,600 minutes make up a year.
    
26. A tiger in a cage can never see the sun.
27. Who needs a big bright beautiful world?
    
28. Sometimes being a fairy tale creature sucks pine sap!
29. Demons will charm with a smile, for a while.
    
30. Neverland is at the star second to the left and straight on 'til morning. Or was it second to right and straight on 'til morning?
    

The Lucky One

One is an odd number. But is it really?

In grade school, we're taught about the two types of numbers: Odd and Even. Even numbers are named the way they are because they come in pairs. If you divide them into two, the numbers would come out evenly. Odd numbers, on the other hand, can't be divided into two evenly. There would always be one that wouldn't have a pair or counterpart. An odd one. Hence the name.

But what's so special about having a pair, anyway? Sure, it gets lonely when you're all on your own, but I don't see why it's odd to be a One. I mean, I'm a One. And I don't see myself as odd. I see myself as special.

The world wants you to believe that you can't live by yourself. That no man is an island. Well, I say that's true. That's what family and friends are for. To keep us company and make us feel safe. They surround us so that we won't be lonely. But the world also wants you to believe that you need to have a pair, a partner in life, to feel complete. That every man is a half of a whole. And to that I say, bullcrap.

Of course, we all want to have our share of a happy ever after with someone special. I know I do. But not everyone will be lucky enough to get it. Not everyone gets a slice of the cake. For some people, its just not gonna happen. Sad? Of course, it is. But it doesn't always have to be. Having a partner is just a minute part of your being, after all. An accessory if you may. Having a pair is not what makes you whole, its love. And if somehow you're not lucky enough to find a special someone, then divert your attention and offer your love to someone who may need it more. Yourself.

People look for partners in life thinking that the other person would complete them. But that's a misconception. People look for partners because they think they couldn't go on living alone. They couldn't picture themselves being happy with themselves. Loving their own imperfections. So they go out to the world, in search of someone who feels the same. Throwing themselves at practically every cute stranger they'd meet hoping he or she is the one. Or maybe even resort to very desperate measures just to find someone to spend the rest of their lives with. Possibly settling for some loser who isn't even worth half the love they're so willing to give out. And the love they could've given to themselves? They hand it over to their "other half" in hopes of having their feelings reciprocated. Believing that this possibly-a-big-mistake relationship would finally make them feel complete.

You see, a partner is not what makes a person complete. It's the love you have inside of you. So what if you're single? Be patient, your time may come sooner than you expect. And if not, well it always pays to have family and friends to keep you company. Never settle for just about anybody who may seem to care but doesn't. Never compromise. You know you deserve better. And if you're one of the "unlucky" ones, well think again. You may be luckier than most. The single old woman with all the cats is happier than the married man with a cheating wife and kids he isn't even sure is his, you know.

Being single doesn't mean you'd end up being unhappy too. Maybe it just isn't meant to be. Or maybe you just haven't met the right one yet. Maybe your love story is still in the works. Just be patient. I'm not gonna claim that I'm an expert at love since I've practically been single all my life. I can, however, say that I'm very good at being single. And right now, you just have to concentrate on the one that needs your love the most. Concentrate on yourself. Don't just lie around and wait for your prince or princess to come along. So that whatever may happen in the end, may he or she show up or not, you'll know you haven't wasted your time and love on something worthless. You'll know you did the right thing.

One may seem like an odd number, but it isn't. It's special. Because although it hopes to find a pair, it can stand on its own. It can rise. It can shine. So all the Ones out there, be strong. Stand firm. Don't ever believe that you're worthless because you don't have pair. You're so much more than just somebody's partner. You are not a fraction of a whole; you are a whole in yourself.

Sure, it takes two to tango. But dancing with yourself isn't so bad.

Lost

In the stillness of the night I look for you.
Keep myself quiet in pursuit of my search.
I hold still like an owl awaiting its prey,
Keenly hiding behind the thick foliage of birch.

My words feel empty, my soul astray
My poetry lost like a pebble in the sea.
Oh, where to find you that I could not say.
As I lay awake at night, I hope I find thee.

It's been too long - oh, how long it's been!
But I neither have the power to keep you in,
Nor the strength to set you free.
Oh, how I wish that you'd only see!

So tonight before the last light is put out
I whisper a wish to the cool night breeze.
That if in my dreams I don't find you,
Will you come find me please?

Goodnight My Someone (July 4, 2007)

As I drink my coffee in the dark corner of the room, I can't help but entertain a recurring thought. You.

You've always been on my mind and I don't know why. We haven't spoken, haven't touched, haven't kissed. We haven't even met yet! But I just can't stop thinking about you. About how I know I'll never get to meet you. I've talked to some of my friends about this and they seemed to agree when I told them how sad it'd be to not ever be able to meet you. To not ever be able to see your face, hold your hand, or dance with you in the rain. I really don't know why but I just know you won't be there. You won't be there to wake me up in the morning & greet me with a loving smile on your face. You won't be there to calm me down when I can't take all the pressures in life. You won't be there to kiss me goodnight & wish me sweet dreams. You won't be there to hold my wrinkly hand as we grow old. I know it's weird to be writing to you when I firmly believe that I'm never gonna see you. I don't know. Maybe I'm doing this because despite my certainty of not being able to meet you, I'm hoping. Hoping that one day you'd prove me wrong. Hoping that with one crazy twist of fate, you'll find me (or I you).

Maybe we won't be able to meet.

Maybe you won't be able to read this.

Maybe you don't even exist.

But I'm hoping.

I Just Think You Should Know (November 8, 2009)

Dear World,

I know it sounds stupid writing to you, but I think you ought to know a few things. I don’t know if anything good would come out of it, but at least you’d know how I feel. You would see yourself in my eyes. And then maybe you’d understand how I’m feeling.

First of all, I think you should know that I’m very deeply disappointed. I’m disappointed that you are not what I expected you to be. You’re nothing like I imagined! I thought you were a lot nicer – a lovelier place to be in. But now I see that you’re not. I guess it was stupid of me to even think that you were. You were never like the storybooks we used to read and, in all fairness, you never pretended to be. You don’t breed happy endings or provide a perfectly constructed yellow brick road that could lead us to happiness. You’ve always been harsh, flawed and real. It took me a few months before I knew the real you and realize that. However, I don’t blame you for my disappointment. No. You are what we make you out to be. Maybe it’s the people that live in you that make you look worse than you actually are. Sucking the life out of you like tiny viruses. Draining you with every bit of romance and magic you have left in you. No, I don’t blame you. But still, I can’t help but feel disappointed though. Especially since I thought that you were a lot tougher than your little inhabitants.

Another thing, World, is that I want to ask you “why?”. Why did you have to ignore me when I thought you would greet me with your arms wide open as I went out to meet you? Why do I find it to be a constant struggle to please you each passing day with my actions and decisions when, frankly, you don’t even give a damn about me? Why did you have to turn from being a world of endless possibilities from my childhood into a world of sheer uncertainty of the present? What happened? You used to be a world full of colourful dreams and imaginations. But now all I see is a grey world. Black and white doesn’t even exist in you anymore. Just grey. Why?

Anyway, World, I also would like to thank you. Yes, thank you. Thank you for showing me how hard real life is. Thank you for making me realize that you are never fair. Thank you for letting me know that I will not always have things go the way I want them to. You’re not perfect and I thank you for showing me that. Knowing you has helped me become what I am today. Am I a better person now? I don’t know. But I have become tougher and wiser, that’s for sure. And I have you to thank for it. Also, World, I would like to thank you for the greatest gift you’ve given me. My family and friends. They are my posse. My people. My love. Sure, they’re not perfect – oh God, how far they are from being perfect! – but they are my people. They give me the inspiration I need to fight my fight and move forward. They help me forget how hard it is to be in you because they allow me to feel the full spectrum of human emotions – most of the time, all at once. They make me feel like I have a place in you somewhere. It is with them where I can feel that there is still hope left in you. So, again, thanks.

I have said a lot of things and expressed a variety of emotions. But before I end this, I have to tell you one last important thing. Something I’ve been meaning to say since I thought of writing this stupid letter. I’m sorry, World. I have been bitching around and cursed you for countless times. Heck, I’ve even accused you of things I know you have nothing to do with. I’ve been putting the blame on you and your people even though I know that somehow I’ve played my part to have things turn out the way they have. I’ve been mean and nasty to you, yet I expect you to do the complete opposite for me. I have cursed you for not being fair, yet I haven’t been fair to you either. So, World, I would like to apologize. I’m sorry for expecting too much but giving very little in return. I’m sorry for failing to acknowledge the little things you have given me and the opportunities you have provided. All this time, I may have been seeing you with the wrong eye and didn’t even bother to notice. I’ll try to be better, not so that you would treat me better as well. But because it’s the right thing to do.

So I guess this is it. I’ve said my piece and I hope the message got across just fine. Especially since it seems like I was merely rambling all throughout. I know you’ll understand what I’ve been meaning to say in this letter. Surely, this is not the first time someone’s written to you.

Thank you, World, for taking the time to hear out my thoughts.

– Francis

I'm Going Back To The Stars

9:48 PM. The jeepney I was riding turned left to make its way to San Isidro. My eyes open up with a slight blur

as the jeepney came to a sudden halt. Yes, I have fallen asleep while commuting. Again. Why is everything so dark? I wondered. Could it be because I’ve fallen asleep with my contacts on? No. My eyes felt fine. I tried to rummage through my brain for some answers. I wasn’t thinking straight yet seeing that I had just woken up. And then it hit me. All of the city’s lights were out. The city was experiencing a blackout. Shit.

Earlier today, I made a mental note on things to do when I get home. And on top of that list was to watch the latest episode of Glee. Something I’ve patiently waited for the past two weeks. Excitement rushed through my veins as I pictured myself in front of the computer, watching Rachel Berry and Kurt Hummel duel as they belt out their rendition of the powerfully moving song Defying Gravity. My all-time favourite from the spectacular seminal Broadway musical, Wicked. Too much? Bite me. Anyway, I pretty much had everything planned out. So imagine how bad I felt when the reality of not being able to do any of the things I planned came into focus. I simply wasn’t happy.

As I got off the jeepney and looked for a pedicab to ride in the dark streets of Dumlog, I noticed something I’ve failed to notice for the longest time. Tiny specks of glitter amidst the dark blue-black sky of the night. The stars. My stars. At that moment, I realized how much I’ve changed for the past few years. Although I still retained my quirky fascination for these heavenly bodies (hence the name, franstar), I can’t help but feel guilty that I no longer look at or even notice the real stars. The same stars that I used to look at every chance I got when I was younger. The same stars I used to wish on when I was still a little boy who believed in shooting stars and dreams-come-true. The same stars that made me realize just how big the universe really is. Somehow, time has changed me and I was consumed by the hustle and bustle of the working life that I’ve totally forgotten about these wonders of nature. I’ve been so blind and indifferent lately that stargazing didn’t seem to have a place in my life anymore. Like most grown-ups, I’ve forgotten about the simplicity of life.

I have reached the point in my life where I have to grow up and act like an adult. And although I have always of thought of myself as special and not like any other, I am still bound to do what is expected of me – to act like everybody else. So I wasn’t at all surprised when I found myself in this position. Being oblivious to the world’s wonders has always been the fad of the working life; the way forgetting who you are is for adults.

As we get older, we somehow get to be too worked up with our lives that we forget about the true essence of being alive. We forget to absorb the beauty the world is so willing to share. And above all, we forget to remember who we really are and what is it that we really want. We deem it too stupid, too childish, too simplistic to want to live our lives the way we want it. We feel like we don’t deserve to rest unless we’re given permission to do so. And most of the time, we don’t think we have the right to be happy unless the people around us are. We no longer lie on the grass and breathe in the smell of a freshly cut lawn. We no longer dance in the rain barefoot, or run freely in the meadows. Or even stare up to the sky and appreciate Mother Nature’s sky diamonds. We lead fast-paced lives of the modern world and live up to society’s expectations that we fail to see the wonders around us. We have forgotten how it was like when we were kids. Carefree and light-hearted.

It’s a wonder how we tend to forget how to be “us” when we become adults. We somehow forget about the real us as we pursue our careers or stand by our responsibilities. But who says you have to give up living life and loving it when you do take that inevitable path? Give yourself a break every once in a while. Stop to smell the roses. Sing the songs you have in your head out loud. Talk to a friend and laugh like crazy. Write your significant other sweet nothings. Dance in your room naked. We might have to give up a few things to succeed in life but we certainly don’t have to give up who we are. And we definitely don’t have to forget how to live.

It’s weird how I started out unhappy with the turn of events. Blackout. Dark streets. No Glee. But then in the darkness of the night, I found my solace. I found my treasure. I found me. And I was happy.